“Farmers Helping Farmers” Convoys To Kansas To Bring Much Needed Relief To the Wildfire Victims – Drivers and Trucks/Trailers Desperately Needed
Some days it appears that this old world is nothing but a “dog eat dog society”. We live in a fast paced environment, full of people taking selfies and thinking “What’s in it for me? How will this benefit me?” And then there are moments, such as the one I am about to describe that reassure me that there are hardworking, caring people that can and do make a difference. It’s not surprising that they are Farmers and Professional Truck Drivers!
Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado suffered devastating wildfires in March of this year. Over 1 MILLION acres of land have been destroyed by the wildfires. 1 MILLION acres, folks! Farmers in Pennsylvania and Ohio immediately rallied support and organized convoys to deliver much needed hay and fencing supplies to farmers who lost practically everything in Kansas. I would like to tell you about 2 groups of extraordinary people – and how you can help in rendering aid to the farmers in Kansas.
JR Byers and Matt Eakin, who work at the Tractor Supply Company in Franklin, Pennsylvania, organized a relief trip on the evening of March 26th. Word spread quickly and donations of hay and fencing supplies were soon ready to be delivered to Kansas. Eleven people made the trip on April 1st and 2nd, 3 pick-ups with trailers and a semi-truck driver by Professional Truck Driver Dustin Davis. Everyone is a volunteer; they are not paid to provide their time and services. JR Byers said, “Women packed us lunches to take with us. Dustin Davis has been making the majority of trips to Ohio to deliver loads of hay and he also made the trip to Kansas. He has worked tirelessly to haul the hay for us. Greg Davis, Jon Proch and Cory Stuchal have also made trips to Ohio with loads of hay.”
JR continued, “These guys [farmers in Kansas] need help! One farmer lost 32,000 acres, 3 houses, fencing and half of their livestock in 45 minutes. We want to help meet the needs of those who have suffered devastating losses.”
They are planning another trip to Ashland, Kansas on May 6th to rebuild fences for a week. There are also 5-6 truckloads of hay in the Lancaster, Pennsylvania area that needs to be picked up and transported to Ohio. They are looking for drivers who will volunteer their time and trucks to help out.
Monetary donations for fuel and fencing supplies are being accepted to offset the relief efforts. You can send a check to JR Byers, c/o Tractor Supply Company, 6885 US-322, Franklin, PA 16323. If you would like to donate money or your time and truck/trailer, you can contact JR Byers at JR Byers at 814-657-6128 or email: [email protected]
Another group, Ohio To Kansas Wildfire Relief, has made one trip to Kansas on March 24th and is heading back on April 21st. The group is compromised of Ohio farmers and volunteers, with the majority being from the Portage County area. According to Brittany Basinger, one of the group’s coordinators, “We have one goal in mind, to help our fellow ranchers/farmers in their time of need.” The majority of the relief trucks will leave from Duma’s Meat Market, 857 Randolph Rd, Mogadore, OH 44260.
Farmers in Pennsylvania and Ohio have generously donated much needed hay – but – there is a serious lack of drivers with trucks and flatbed trailers to deliver the hay! Brittany said, “I fear that we may not have the number of trucks to pick up and deliver the hay. We are seeking drivers and their trucks to join our convoy.”
You can contact Brittany Basinger at 330-281-2860 or email [email protected] or visit their Facebook Page – “Ohio To Kansas Wildlife Relief – Part 2”.
Delivering one truckload of supplies to Kansas costs approximately $1,000 in fuel. Ohio To Kansas Wildfire Relief’s goal is to send at least 50 trucks full of fencing and supplies. Checks can be made out to “Rancher’s Wildfire Relief Fund” and can be mailed to Portage Community Bank1311 E. Main St. Ravenna, OH 44266, Portage Community Bank, 1532 S. Water St., Kent, OH 44240.or Duma’s Meat Market, 857 Randolph Rd, Mogadore, OH 44260.
You can also visit any Centerra Co-op location to make a donation; every $5.00 donation purchases a T-post for the relief efforts. Visit www.centerracoop.com/ for a complete list of locations.